Vivendi Universal's E3 2004 Lineup @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 07, 2004

News: The lists just keep on coming...

Movies, movies, movies. Vivendi Universal has certainly carved out it's niche among game players. With new games based on The Chronicles of Riddick, Fight Club, Predator and Van Helsing, the silver screen has never looked better on video games. They've also got a little game called Half-Life 2 planned, you may have heard of it. Here's the complete list:

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Experience life behind the eyes of Richard B. Riddick as he sets foot inside Butcher Bay, the toughest prison this side of hell. Set before the events of both Universal Pictures' upcoming summer release The Chronicles of Riddick, starring Vin Diesel, and the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black, the game tells the story of Riddick's dramatic escape from the previously inescapable triple max security slam Butcher Bay, home to the most violent prisoners in the galaxy. Featuring the likeness and voice work of Vin Diesel, the game is played from a primarily first-person perspective (with special third-person actions). Using cutting edge normal mapping technology, the game meticulously recreates the horrors of the prison with vivid realism. To escape, players will have to make maximum use of the game's stunning environments, including using shadows, subterfuge and distractions to avoid patrols. Moving and attacking in darkness is particularly effective for Riddick as his haunting "eye shine" gives him the ability to see without ambient light. However, stealth won't serve every situation and players will be able to take the action up close and personal. As Riddick, players will be able to sneak up behind enemies and snap necks or fight face to face using fists, elbows and grapples. Additionally, players will be able to capture weapons such as shanks, shotguns, or assault rifles and use these to cut a swath of destruction through anyone who gets in their way. Riddick will be available in June of 2004 for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

Crash Twinsanity (Titled Crash Unlimited in Europe and Asia Pacific)
A new evil has invaded the island paradise of Crash Bandicoot, with plans of destruction. In a strange twist, Crash reluctantly pairs with his archenemy, Dr. Neo Cortex, in order to save the world. Through this unorthodox partnership, Cortex is abused as Crash's favorite weapon when Crash and Cortex are controlled as one in this all-new gameplay mechanic. Gamers will encounter reactive enemies, fully immersive environments and a wacky cast of brand new characters in Crash Bandicoot's craziest and funniest adventure ever. Crash Twinsanity is scheduled for release third quarter 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Outside of North America this game will be titled Crash Unlimited.

Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit is a spectacular psycho thriller, set in New-York. For no apparent reason, ordinary people are randomly killing total strangers with the same ritual and pattern. Lucas Kane becomes one of these murderers. Finding himself in control of Lucas, the player is haunted by strange visions and the desperate need to find out what is happening to him. At the same time he must keep one step ahead of the police, especially Inspector Carla Valenti and agent Tyler Miles. A constant interaction with the storyline makes the story change as a result of your decisions. Fahrenheit gives gamers the unique chance to play both hunter and hunted, which in turn leads them to speak, explore, interact, fight and confront unknown dark forces. The final countdown has already begun. Fahrenheit is scheduled for release winter 2004, on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PC.

Fight Club
Players will be immersed in this gritty visceral world of fighting by playing as one of the many characters from the Fight Club movie. The extreme realism of the game will have players feel every punch and kick by delivering shocking visuals of broken bones, blood stained ripped clothes and real-time facial deformation in fully interactive environments familiar from the movie scenes. A no-holds-barred realistic fighter, the game will portray the brutality of street fighting while encompassing the artistic style, settings, storyline and characters from the movie with an extremely realistic fighting system and jaw-dropping special effects. With 3 different fighting styles and intuitive controls, ability to create fighters and online gameplay, the game will create a deeply rewarding yet challenging and unique experience for fighting fans of all levels. Fight Club is scheduled for release in fourth quarter 2004, on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
Developed by High Voltage Software, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude is the coming of age story about Larry Lovage, nephew of Larry Laffer, the series' original lovable loser. In Magna Cum Laude, Lovage starts as a pathetic loser enrolled at Community College who spends most of his time in his dorm room, or on campus striking out with women. After hearing about a reality TV dating show visiting his college campus, he resolves to revitalize his life and win. Over the course of the game, Larry sets out on an epic search for love (or its equivalent) and finds that things don't always go as planned. The Leisure Suit Larry videogame franchise began in 1987 with The Land of the Lounge Lizards, the first of seven games in the series. Since then, the Leisure Suit Larry games have sold millions of units worldwide and its games are considered collector items. Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude will be available in October 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the PC.

Men of Valor
Men of Valor is an historical action experience that portrays infantry combat during the Vietnam War. Combining the latest Unreal technology with the gameplay expertise of 2015 (developers of the award-winning Medal of Honor: Allied Assault), the game immerses the player in the humid jungles of Southeast Asia in the most controversial conflict of the modern era. Men of Valor follows an American Marine through the early stages of the conflict in Vietnam to the Tet Offensive. Touching on the some of the most familiar scenes of the war as they exist in the popular imagination, the player guides his group of fellow soldiers through the hardship and confusion of the battlefield, bonding with them as they do their duty for their country with the heroism and valor typical of the American soldier, but unsung during the turbulent times. Men of Valor will be available in October 2004 for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the PC.

Predator: Concrete Jungle
Gamers will hunt down their prey in an urban killing zone as they take on the legendary role of the lethal Predator within this 3rd person action extravaganza. The intergalactic hunter has its sights set on Earth in this new console game. In Predator: Concrete Jungle, the gripping tale of the fearsome alien's history on Earth unfolds between two separate time periods, first the 1930s and then in the 2030s, as the Predator embarks on a mission of revenge upon an organized crime empire and its leader who seek to conquer all Predators. Taking inspiration from the popular film franchise, the game allows players to roam a vast city landscape stalking human prey while armed to the teeth with hunt-adapted vision modes, cloaking technology, and extraterrestrial weapons of annihilation. Predator: Concrete Jungle will be available in the fourth quarter 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

Red Ninja: End of Honor
Red Ninja: End of Honor is a third person action game that cohesively blends a variety of game-play features including action, adventure, stealth, and seduction and fighting. All these elements have been placed into Japan in the 1500's, here the power of the samurai class is fading and the use of the Ninja has become necessary to hold any political power in this chaotic time. Kurenai is a young girl who's world is destroyed when she and her father are attacked by the deadly Black Lizard Clan, a group that captures her and brutally hangs her by a wire and leaves her to die. Miraculously, she survives and is rescued and adopted into a clan where she obtains complete mastery of her unique weapon, the Tetsugen (steel wire). Kurenai has pledged her undying loyalty to her new family. She now lives to avenge her father's death and will go to any means necessary to destroy the Black Lizard Clan. Red Ninja: End of Honor is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2004, on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

Spyro: A Hero's Tail
Spyro must save the Dragon Realms from the Evil Red Dragon who has planted light-sapping Dark Gems all over the Dragon Realms in an attempt to capture and control the world. With the help of his allies, Spyro must seek out and destroy all of the Dark Gems to return the lands back to normal and to save the Dragon Realms from the evil dragon's tyrannical control. Full of brand new dragon powers and abilities, gadgets, real-time morphing environments and five playable characters, A Hero's Tail is the greatest Spyro adventure yet! Spyro: A Hero's Tail is scheduled for release fourth quarter 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and Nintendo GameCube.

StarCraft: Ghost
StarCraft: Ghost, Blizzard Entertainment's upcoming tactical-action console game, refines the epic experience of StarCraft to the level of the individual soldier. Engage the StarCraft universe face-to-face as Nova, a deadly Ghost operative in the employ of the Dominion. With the help of a determined group of allies, follow story-driven missions that take you from massive planetary battles through dangerous solo operations to an unexpected turn of events that leaves the fate of the universe in your hands. Featuring a revolutionary new style of gameplay that showcases Nova's physical and psionic abilities, as well as an arsenal of sophisticated weaponry, off-planet call-downs, and vehicles straight out of the StarCraft strategy game, StarCraft: Ghost will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube.

Van Helsing
Van Helsing, the third-person action game, transports players to a new world of fantastical reality set in 19th century Transylvania - home to the legendary Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolf Man. As the renowned monster hunter Van Helsing, players must hunt down and destroy the evil that inhabits these ancient lands before darkness engulfs the world. As players progress through Transylvania and the strongholds of Castle Frankenstein and Castle Dracula, they'll encounter untold fiends and evil minions including the legendary dark prince Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man and Igor as well as a host of original creatures created for the game including stone gargoyles, fell spirits and banshees. Van Helsing will be available May 7th for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.

Vivendi also included the latest desription of Half-Life 2, which strangely does not include any mention of the Xbox version.

Half-Life 2
1998: Half-Life sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer and launches a franchise with more than eight million retails units sold worldwide. Now: Half-Life 2. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environments to the behaviors - even the emotions - of both friends and enemies. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist, Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people - people he cares about - are counting on him. The intense, real-time gameplay of Half-Life 2 is made possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology. Source provides major enhancements in the advanced facial animation system, physics, graphics and AI. Half-Life 2 will be available for the PC.

Vivendi also plans to unveil a new game behind closed doors that included this description:

Behind-Closed-Doors - By Appointment Only:
VU Games and Monolith Productions will provide the media a sneak peek of the latest action-packed project from the developer that created award-winning games like Aliens vs. Predator 2, the No One Lives Forever franchise and Tron 2.0. This project might be described as The Matrix meets The Ring, an intense close-quarters combat experience with rich atmosphere and an engaging story presented entirely in first person.